Iran: Israel is a Warmonger

Tehran's Foreign Ministry says Netanyahu is trying to destroy Iran's relations with the rest of the world

By Gil Ronen

First Publish: 7/16/2013, 1:58 PM

Iran's new President Hassan Rohani

AFP file

Tehran's Foreign Ministry accused Israel of being a “warmonger” Tuesday, and accused Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of trying to destroy Iran's relations with the rest of the world.

The ministry spokesman was reacting to Netanyahu's interview on CBS, in which he said Israel's clock for action against Iran's nuclear weapons program was running out.

The spokesman said that Israel is upset over the victory of Hassan Rouhani in the presidential elections, and that it fears that the international community will relax its pressure on Iran in order to create a better environment for negotiations with the new president.

"They're getting closer and closer to the bomb. And they have to be told in no uncertain terms that that will not be allowed to happen."

Netanyahu went on to say that Israel had a more narrow timetable than Washington, implying it may have to take unilateral action to halt Iran's controversial nuclear program.

"Our clocks are ticking at a different pace. We're closer than the United States. We're more vulnerable. And therefore, we'll have to address this question of how to stop Iran, perhaps before the United States does," he said.

Netanyahu said Iran's nuclear policies were unlikely to change under its next president, former nuclear negotiator Hassan Rouhani, who will assume power on August 3.

"He's criticizing his predecessor (President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad) for being a wolf in wolf's clothing. His strategy is be a wolf in sheep's clothing. Smile and build a bomb," Netanyahu said.

He urged the United States to make clear to Rouhani that it will not allow Iran to build a nuclear weapon, and that military force "is truly on the table."

"We've spoken many times, President Obama and I, about the need to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons," Netanyahu said.

"What is important is to convey to them -- especially after the election – (is) that (the) policy will not change," he said.

"If sanctions don't work, they have to know that you'll be prepared to take military action – that's the only thing that will get their attention," he added.